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As he rose to his feet and started on a run up the bed of the dry strea course from one bit of scant cover to another Billy Byrne stepped to the edge of the washout and threw his carbine to his shoulder His face was flushed, his eyes sparkled, a sular features

"This is the life!" he cried, and pulled the trigger

The htened jackrabbit, sprawled forward upon his face, le effort to rise and then slue, dis broadly

"The captain is one grand fighter," he said "How eneral would admire such a man as the captain Doubtless he would make him a colonel Come with me Senor Capitan and your fortune is made"

"Come where?" asked Billy Byrne

"To the ca Mexico--to General Francisco Villa"

"Nothin' doin'," said Billy "I'uess I'll stick He's given me more of a run for my money in the last twenty-four hours than I've had since I parted from my dear old friend, the Lord of Yoka"

"But Senor Capitan," cried Miguel, "you do notback to Pesita! He will shoot you doith his own hand when he has learned what has happened here"

"I guess not," said Billy

"You'd better go with Miguel, Billy," urged Bridge "Pesita will not forgive you this You've cost hiht men today and he hasn't any more men than he needs at best Besides you've uess you'll have to pay for it"

"No," said Billy, "I kind o' like this Pesita gent I think I'll stick around with him for a while yet Anyhow until I've had a chance to see his face after I've et-away good, an' I'll beat it back to camp"

He crossed to where the two horses of the slain marksmen were hidden, turned one of the, boes!" he cried, and with a wave of his hand wheeled about and spurred back along the trail over which they had just coe watched him for a moment, then they, too, e recited no verse for the balance of that day His heart lay heavy in his bosom, for he missed Billy Byrne, and was fearful of the fate which awaited him at the camp of the bandit